CHAPTER SEVEN
THE NEXT MORNING’S AGENDA included grocery shopping. In the supermarket, Kris greeted some of the year-round residents she’d gotten to know. Anne Rules spotted her first.
“How’s the homeschooling?” The woman had almost become a friend in the weeks they’d been visiting the library, offering assistance with reference books and lots of suggestions for fun reading, and a reminder about the girls’ reading group. But Ashley was still hesitant about joining.
“We’re almost finished,” replied Kristin, with Ashley by her side. “She’s studying for final exams now. I’ve been in touch with her regular school.” Kristin took a breath. “We have a favor to ask you.”
“Me?” The woman was clearly surprised. “Sure. Ask away.”
“It’s about her final exams,” said Kristin. “Would you act as proctor, either at the library or at our house? You’d sign off that she’d taken the tests fair and square, under your supervision. You’d also get a small fee.”
The librarian turned to Ashley with a smile. “I’d be happy to help out, Ashley. No problem.”
“That’s wonderful,” said Kristin. “Thank you.” They left Anne after confirming a test date. The town was as friendly as Kristin could have wished for.
In the produce department, moving among the fruits and vegetables, they saw Mrs. Shilling. The woman recognized them immediately and came over.
“This is my lucky morning,” she said, nodding at Kris, though her attention was really on Ash. “How are you, Ashley?”
“Fine.” She stared at the floor.
Kristin was content to watch. Maybe others would have more effect on her daughter than she did at this point.
“What are you working on these days?” Mrs. Shilling was tenacious; Kris gave her credit for that.
Ash tilted her head and studied the older woman for a moment. “Do you know Beethoven’s Sonata 8 in C Minor, the Pathétique?”
“Yes. Of course I do.”
“It’s difficult to play correctly.”
“That’s true,” said Mrs. Shilling. “The skill level is high. Are you trying to learn it by yourself?”
“I’d started it before we came here.”
Kris appreciated being the proverbial fly on the wall. She could learn a lot this way. She liked the teacher’s manner with Ash—treating her with respect, as an equal, even though their skill levels were not the same.
“Try practicing each hand separately. In sections. Over and over until your fingers know what they’re doing. When your hands cry out for each other, that’s the time to put them together. Listen to your instincts, Ashley.”
“I’ll know?” she asked, her expression reflecting her wonder at the new idea.
“I bet you’ve memorized ‘Für Elise.’”
Ashley nodded. “Most of it was easy, because the first four bars are repeated fifteen times and another six bars repeated four times.”
“But then, there are those two interruptions that are not easy. In fact, they’re difficult.”
Ash nodded. “I practiced those over and over, and then—whamo! I put them together.”
“And you’ll do the same with the sonata.”
On Ashley’s face, a veil lifted. On Mrs. Shilling’s face, joy shone.
A perfect match as far as Kristin was concerned. She reached into her purse. “Hang on a second, would you?” she asked the teacher.
After scribbling a name and phone number on a scrap of paper, she handed it to Mrs. Shilling. “We’ll be at the lake for a while, and I’d like to work some lessons into our stay. Would you mind calling Ashley’s piano teacher to talk about her progress and her next step? You might be a lifesaver here.”
Her shopping cart was still empty, but some empty places inside herself had begun to fill. Maybe it really did take a village to raise a child. Morningstar Lake certainly seemed to qualify.
AN HOUR LATER, as Kristin opened the trunk of her car to unload her packages, she saw Cathy approach.
“Good timing. Let me help you.” Rick’s sister reached for a brown bag.
“It’s not a problem. Ashley can do it.”
“Haven’t you learned never to refuse free labor?” She hoisted the bag and started walking to the house.
“I see where Madison gets it from,” Kristin called after her. Only after the words escaped did she worry about the insult.
She needn’t have been concerned. The woman hooted and turned back to face her. “Yup. She’s my girl.”
And for one split second, Kristin was envious. How wonderful to live without a traumatic experience in the background. Cathy’s daughter was so confident. She charged forward, unafraid. Unafraid of being wrong, unafraid of trying new things, unafraid of people. At the same time, she was also willing to cooperate. She didn’t need to be the boss, at least not always, and not with her music. Ashley had the advantage there, being a year older. She’d had more study time and played flute in her middle school orchestra. Madison still attended grade school.
“Both your children are happy,” said Kristin. “You’re doing a great job.”
“With the help of a very…shall we say ‘hands-on’ family,” replied Cathy. “I can’t take all the credit, or all the blame.”
Cathy, modest? Kristin was surprised.
The woman sighed. “In my family, no one’s shy about voicing their opinions. And certainly no one minds their own business.” She waved her hand toward the sky for emphasis. “Heaven forbid we mind our own business! We were all worried about Rick, and I, for one, couldn’t wait to get here for the weekend.”
Oops! Here came the real reason for her visit to Kristin’s house. She was investigating. Kristin placed her bag on the kitchen counter and reached for Cathy’s. “Well, you don’t have to be concerned about me, if that’s what you’re getting at.”
“Concerned about you? Not at all. Just the opposite. My brother seems so much calmer and happier since he’s been here. I can’t imagine it’s due only to the fishing. He actually slept late today before taking the kids out.” She threw Kristin a knowing glance.
Kristin held up her hand. “Don’t say another word. I don’t know what you’re talking about, and maybe I shouldn’t.”
Cathy stared at her as though she had just sprouted another head. “He never mentioned what happened to him on the job before he packed his bags and drove up here?”
“He’s an ex-cop. That’s all I know and that’s all I want to know—unless he wants to share it.” And boy, did she owe him her attention if he needed it.
Ash trotted in, put a gallon of milk in the fridge and headed toward the door. “I’m going outside again. Quincy’s back and I gotta say hi or he might forget me.”
“No way would that happen,” said Cathy. “Never, never, never. That dog’s smarter than I am.” She winked at Ash, and Ashley giggled. Then she left the house.
Kristin gazed through the window at the lake and saw Rick, Madison, Danny and Quincy in their boat, coming in to dock. She immediately understood what her daughter hadn’t voiced. The dog’s real family was here now. Ashley would be left out.
“The hordes will want lunch, so I’ve got to leave,” said Cathy. “I came over to invite you guys to supper. We’ll grill outside—very informal. I hope you can make it.”
Kristin did not have a social calendar, but neither was she sure about having Rick’s “hands-on” family in her personal life. Still, after Rick and the kids rushed to her house last night, it was probably too late to keep many secrets.
“What can we bring to the party?”
“Oh, goody!” Cathy was back in form. “Rick will be happy.”
The two women walked outside in time to see Quincy race toward Ashley and cover her with kisses. “Ugh!” Ashley protested. “You’re all wet and yucky, Quince.” She stepped back.
“You would be too if you kept jumping in the lake for a swim.” Rick joined them, T-shirt soaked, hair standing on end. Eyes bright. He jerked his hea
d toward his sister. “From now on, it’s either the dog or your monsters. Not both.”
She punched him lightly on the arm. “Sure, sure, sure. When I see it I’ll believe it. Ricky, the kids play you the way you play a fish—pulling in the line, letting it out, pulling it in until they catch you. And they always catch you.” She grinned at Kristin. “A real fish might escape, but this fish doesn’t have a chance with the kids. He wants to get caught.”
Rick’s complexion turned ruddy, or maybe it was too much sun. Kristin couldn’t imagine him being embarrassed.
“Do you think we actually had a chance of catching anything in the lake?” he asked his sister. “With all that activity going on, we’re lucky we didn’t capsize—which was a strong possibility when Quince wanted to get back into the boat.” He gazed thoughtfully at Ashley and slowly said, “I think he wanted to swim back for you.”
Ash beamed, her delight mixed with incredulity. “Really?”
“Really,” confirmed Rick. “But here’s the hard part. Since he’s ‘yucky,’ how’d you like to wash him with the hose and brush him down? You’ll make him feel more comfortable.”
As though he’d given her the keys to the kingdom, Ashley trailed after Rick toward his house.
Before following them, Cathy said to Kristin, “You should see your face when you look at my brother. If I were a cop, I’d say, ‘We have a situation here.’”
“I’m sure you’re mistaken,” Kristin replied too quickly.
“Gotcha.”
“All you’ve got from me are potato salad and dessert.”
EVENINGS AT Morningstar Lake were still chilly at the end of May. In sweatshirts, jeans, socks and running shoes, Ashley and Kristin made their way to the Coopers’ house. Kristin carried the potato salad, Ashley the chocolate cake. If they’d been back home, Kristin would have called the get-together a block party. Sophie and Ben were already there, as well as neighbors from three other houses. A second table was set up outside to handle all the food, and everyone had brought aluminum folding chairs.
“This is wonderful,” said Cathy, her arms wide in welcome. “It’s the opening weekend of summer, a terrific reason to party.”
“Any reason is a good reason, according to you,” responded her husband, Jerry. But he was laughing, and their easygoing camaraderie reminded Kristin of what she was missing in her life now. She and John had understood each other, too. They’d been the best of friends.
“That was a big sigh,” Rick commented, taking the chocolate cake from Ashley and pointing toward the lake. “The kids and the hound are over there by the willow tree. See the piled-up cartons? I think Danny wanted to make a fort.”
Ashley headed toward the tree, calling the dog’s name. Quincy bounded right to her. Rick put the cake on the table and turned his attention to Kristin. “So, what’s on your mind?”
But she was distracted as she watched Quincy greet her daughter. Maybe she and Ash should get a dog of their own, despite her reluctance to take on more responsibility.
“Rick to Kristin. Come in, Kristin.” His hands were cupped like a megaphone in front of his mouth.
She patted his arm. “Sorry, I was in another world just now, considering a new purchase. A dog like Quincy.”
A low whistle was his immediate response. “It’s a big decision, bigger than you probably understand.”
“A lot of work, huh?”
His gray eyes were somber. “Yes. Time and effort. Huge responsibility. Every dog needs to be not only housebroken, but also obedience trained. And a dog as big and powerful as our guy over there, even more so.”
“So I’d need to be truly committed.”
“Dogs are very trainable. They want to please. In your case, both you and Ashley would have to be involved in the training. The dog would have to follow her commands, too.”
“It seems to me that Quincy bosses her!”
Rick’s grin was delicious, but Kristin kept her mind on the conversation.
“Quincy’s been supporting her,” he said. “He knows she needs him. He’s a therapy dog, remember? And besides, I’ve been in the background all the time. He checks with me.”
“He checks with you? I thought they were merely playing together.” She needed time to absorb this surprising information.
“They are playing. Quincy is having a great time. They’re both having fun. But more important, Ash feels safe, she is safe, and Quincy has a purpose. Shepherds are a working breed—they like having a purpose.”
“I’m going to the library. Research. Research. Research!”
“Good idea. And don’t forget to include the costs—veterinarian, vaccines, food, incidentals. In the meantime, however, your Ashley has a dog. Right over there.” He gazed at Quincy and the kids.
Kristin squeezed his arm. “You’ve been more than kind, Rick. Very generous. I really appreci—”
He brushed her words aside. “There was really no choice. Ash needed him. End of story.”
He wouldn’t look at her. But Kris knew there were always choices, always. Good or bad. Hard or easy. As though a layer of gauze had been pulled away, she began to see into the heart and soul of this cop. Wounded inside from the city streets, he could have kept to himself at the lake, minded his own business and just waved to her in passing. He didn’t need to have become involved with her and Ashley at all. Now, it appeared that “getting involved” came naturally to him.
“I’ve got a lot to think about,” she said. A lot more than he’d realize.
She spotted Cathy again. The woman seemed to be everywhere at once. “I was watching your sister and brother-in-law earlier. She’s a firecracker and he’s more subdued, but they mesh well. They have a nice rapport.”
“I guess they took a leaf out of our folks’ book. And I guess I didn’t.”
Something in his voice caught her attention, and she tipped her chin up to see him better. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. I’ve heard there are always two sides to every divorce.”
He was shaking his head before she’d finished speaking. “In the world I come from, there’s only one side. And that’s the job. The boys in blue are outstanding at the divorce thing. As I once mentioned, the rate’s higher than in almost any other profession.”
“I’m sorry.”
He put the potato salad onto the overloaded table, then faced her. “Yeah. That’s another reason to switch careers. Let someone else work the Crisis Team.”
But somehow, he didn’t sound entirely happy about that idea today. He didn’t sound as sure of himself as he usually did.
“I know you’ll make the right decision when you have to.”
“Twelve years are enough.”
Was he trying to convince her or himself? Something must have changed in the last day or two. “Why did you become a cop?”
He didn’t answer. But his sister, who was making the rounds, had no trouble. “That’s easy,” said Cathy. “Because he wanted to help people and save the world.”
“You sound like a commercial,” Rick said. “Get out of here. Go have your own conversations.”
“And you guys grab a plate. These burgers are juicy and perfect now.”
Kristin searched for Ashley and spotted her still with the other two children, eating and talking. She felt her smile bloom.
“Look, Rick,” she said, nodding. “She’s just one of the kids right now. Like she used to be. I’m so glad your family showed up.”
“I’m glad, too. I guess they’re providing a great distraction for all of us. At least, all of us who need one.”
Little did he know the distraction he provided for her! She felt her cheeks burn at the thought, saw his eyes brighten with curiosity. She was saved from a reply, however, when a man’s voice called out, “Howdy, folks.” It was Sam Keaton, in uniform. He’d walked from the driveway to the back lawn, and now he was making the rounds.
“The sheriff!” she whispered. “Do you think he has some news about Ashley’s case?”
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br /> “Whoa. Slow down,” said Rick. He gently spun her around. “There could be a million reasons why he came over. Maybe my folks invited him. More significantly, he would have called you himself if he had new information.”
“You’re right. You’re right. Sometimes I feel like I’m on a roller coaster, full of highs and lows.”
“But you’re not alone, Kris.” Rick’s voice was soft, soothing. “We’re all with you. There’s law enforcement, your friends at home, your friends up here, a certain canine and…the guy who owns him. We’re all cheering for you.”
His calm demeanor meant as much to her as his words. Her stress level plunged, and hope bloomed again. For a moment. But, like scratching a persistent itch, she wondered again why Sam Keaton had shown up.
UNLESS HIS SISTER or parents had issued a special invitation, the sheriff was visiting them for a reason. Rick figured it was only a matter of time before his old friend played his hand.
He watched Sam chat with each dinner guest. Getting reacquainted with long-time home owners, long-time friends. And maybe that’s all he wanted to do that evening.
When darkness fell a short while later, Cathy invited everyone inside to continue the party. All the guests helped bring in the leftovers, but some of the neighbors turned down the second cup of coffee and went home, yawning contentedly.
In the kitchen, Rick kept his eye on Ashley. If the girl stayed, Kristin would stay. He shouldn’t care one way or another. But despite all the silent arguments, even the noble arguments with himself, he did care.
Ash was eyeing what was left of the chocolate cake. She glanced at her mother, held up two fingers and tilted her head, a small smile playing around her mouth.
Kristin glowed. “Another piece? Go for it, sweetheart.”
Ash was staying.
Still smiling, Kristin whispered to him, “Don’t you think she looks better? Like she gained a few pounds?”
No. The kid was still too thin, still had the body of a child. Not a sign of adolescence. But Kris didn’t want to hear that. “Maybe an ounce or two or three,” he conceded, “but she seems healthy. And definitely happier than when I first saw her.”
Linda Barrett - Count on a Cop Page 10